South Carolina CB Cam Smith 'Drawing Interest' from Falcons in NFL Draft
The Atlanta Falcons have a long-term need at cornerback opposite All-Pro A.J. Terrell, and many experts believe they'll target a solution early in the 2023 NFL Draft.
In recent mock drafts, the Falcons have become a popular landing spot for the class's highest-ranked corners - Oregon's Christian Gonzalez and Illinois' Devon Witherspoon - with the No. 8 overall selection.
But Atlanta's connection to the top of the corner class doesn't stop there.
According to Pro Football Network, South Carolina corner Cam Smith is "drawing interest" from the Falcons - in addition to the Buffalo Bills, Minnesota Vikings and Jacksonville Jaguars.
Smith is "projected to be a first-round pick" in April's draft but could slide into the second round, though he won't get past the Carolina Panthers at No. 40 overall, per PFN.
Atlanta currently holds the No. 44 overall selection in the second-round but traded up in a similar situation last year to draft outside linebacker Arnold Ebiketie, as general manager Terry Fontenot noted that "we would've gotten in trouble if we'd waited."
The Falcons did not have secondary coach Steve Jackson present for the Gamecocks' Pro Day, which also featured projected top-100 corner Darius Rush.
The 6-1, 180-pound Smith has earned second-team All-SEC honors in each of the past two years and aligned at both outside and nickel corner. Across 33 games (19 starts), Smith recorded 91 total tackles, 18 pass breakups and six interceptions.
Smith, 22, had perhaps his finest performance of the season in the biggest individual matchup - against Tennessee receiver, Biletnikoff winner and likely first-round draft pick Jalin Hyatt.
While Hyatt walked away with six receptions for 65 yards, it was a clear down performance, considering he entered averaging 20 yards per reception and as the nation's leader in touchdowns ... but was held to a long of 16 yards and an average of just under 11 while not finding the endzone.
It was a definitive statement by Smith that he's up for the challenge of defending premiere wideouts - and Rush gave a similarly strong endorsement of his defensive back running mate at the NFL Combine.
"Eager," Rush said, when asked to describe Smith. "That's a guy who, in the meeting rooms, is going to ask all the questions. He wants to know any and everything about football; he wants to know why he's doing this, why he's doing that.
"So, I'd say he's a guy that's eager to learn from a football IQ standpoint, eager to always get on the field and do some drills ... he's eager to learn about football, eager to just play football."
Rush cited an example where he and Smith went into South Carolina's indoor facility at 11:30 p.m. to do "football drills," putting in work whenever they had the chance.
The question now becomes which team will have the chance to be on the receiving end of Smith and his eager, inquisitive nature ... and it certainly seems as if the Falcons are interested in being his teacher.
You can follow Daniel Flick on Twitter @DFlickDraft
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